Fireplace candle

ABSTRACT

The fireplace candle provides a simulation of a burning wood log in a fireplace. The fireplace candle is adapted for mounting to a ceramic log. The fireplace candle includes a container for holding wax candle elements. A mount extends from the container to hold the candle behind the simulated log so that the container is out of view. The wicks of the candle elements extend above the logs so that when the wicks are lit, flames are visible above the simulated log. The wicks are of varying heights to enhance the simulation. The mount includes one or more mounting tabs engaging a bark pattern deposed on the surface of the simulated log. The mounting tabs may be a resilient material shaped to provide a tensioning grip on the log, and/or a malleable material that can be manipulated to fit into crevices within the bark pattern of the simulated log.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/740,270, filed Nov. 29, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fireplaces and candles, and moreparticularly to a fireplace candle that simulates burning fireplacelogs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many people burn wood in fireplaces in their homes. Burning woodprovides heat for warming a room during cold weather. The flames fromthe burning wood generate a pleasing aesthetic display. Some people alsoenjoy the smell of burning wood given off by the fire.

Burning wood in a fireplace does produce some effects that homeowners donot particularly enjoy. Burning wood in a fireplace generates an ashresidue. Disposal of the ash residue or soot in the fireplace can be atedious and dirty task. Soot and other fire byproducts, such ascreosote, accumulate in the chimney, requiring that the chimney beperiodically cleaned. Creosote may be highly flammable under certainconditions, and failure to properly clean the chimney may result in adangerous chimney fire.

One way to avoid the undesired effects associated with burning wood in afireplace while enjoying the desired effects is to simulate a fireplacefire without actually burning wood. When simulating a fireplace fire,simulated logs may be provided, such as ceramic logs designed to have avisual appearance similar to a wooden log. A source of flame that doesnot generate ash is provided to simulate the visual effect of burningwood. For example, natural gas-fueled or propane-fueled flames may begenerated in the vicinity of one or more simulated logs, providing anappearance visually similar to burning wooden logs.

The gas flame-based fireplace simulation provides heat and the visualappearance of a wood log burning fire, but does not provide the burningwood smell. In situations where alternate means of heating rooms of adwelling, such as a central heating system, are available, the heatgenerating qualities of the fireplace are less important than the visualand olfactory aesthetic qualities. In those cases, the ceramic log/gasflame simulation will not be a satisfactory substitute for a wood logfire.

Thus, a fireplace candle solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The fireplace candle provides a simulation of a burning wood log in afireplace. The fireplace candle is adapted for mounting to a ceramiclog. The fireplace candle includes a container for holding wax candleelements. One or more mounts extending from the container hold thecandle behind the simulated log so that the container is out of view.The wicks of the candle elements extend above the logs so that when thewicks are lit, flames are visible above the simulated log. The wicks areof varying heights to enhance the simulation. The wicks can also be ofthe type that produces a crackling sound that simulates the sound ofburning wood. The mount includes one or more mounting tabs for engaginga bark pattern disposed on the surface of the simulated log. Themounting tabs may be a resilient material shaped to provide a tensioninggrip on the log. The mounting tabs may be made from a material that isalso malleable so that the tabs can be manipulated to fit into creviceswithin the bark pattern of the simulated log. The mounting tabs are madeof the same material as the container, usually aluminum or tin, but isnot limited to these materials.

The container may be refillable, so that when the candle elements areexpired, the candle tins can be refilled with replacement multi-wickedcandles. The wax of the candle elements may be soy-based, but is notlimited to soy-based material and may be other candle material, such asparaffin wax or beeswax. The wax is infused with a fragrant oil thatgenerates the desired aroma when the candle element is lit. The aromamay emit an odor simulating the aroma of burning wood, although otherscents may be chosen. When the container is of the refillable version,the thickness of the material forming the container is approximately0.23 gauge material. For disposable versions, the thickness can bereduced below 0.23 gauge.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a fireplace candleattached to a simulated log according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a fireplace candle according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a candle holder for a fireplacecandle according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a fireplace candle for simulating the visualappearance and smell associated with burning logs in a fireplace. Thefireplace candle 20 is described by referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a fireplace candle 20 in accordance with thepresent invention is attached to a simulated ceramic log 30 resting onthe floor of a fireplace 32. The fireplace candle comprises a container22, a container mount or mounts 24 for attaching the candle 20 to thesimulated log 30, and one or more candle elements 26. As viewed from theentrance to the fireplace 32, the container 22 is mounted behind theceramic log 30 so that the view of the container 22 is obscured by theceramic log 30. The candle container 22 is attached to the log via oneor more mounting tabs 24. The mounting tabs 24 support the candlecontainer 22 in position behind the log by engaging the bark pattern ofthe log 30. The mounting tabs 24 curve over the surface of the log 30,and are made from a resilient material. Sliding the tabs 24 over the log30 generates a gripping force by tensioning the curved mounting tabs 24.The generated gripping force holds the candle container 22 in positionbehind the log 30.

The candle container 22 has a cavity open at the top of the container22. The candle container 22 may be made of a foil material, such asaluminum, tin or any material sufficiently heat-resistant to withstandtemperatures generated by burning candles and melted wax. Disposedwithin the cavity are one or more candle elements 26. Each candleelement 26 is a wax candle with one or more candlewicks. The candle waxmay be tinted to have a color similar to a simulated log, such as brownor gray, so that the candle elements are less discernable in thevicinity of the log 30.

The wax of the candle elements 26 may contain an aromatic agent thatreleases aromatic vapors when the candlewicks are lit and the wax burns.For example, the wax of the candle elements may be paraffin wax, soywax, or beeswax. The wax is infused with a fragrant oil that generatesthe desired aroma when the candle element is burned.

The fragrant oil may emit an odor simulating the aroma of burning wood.For example, oils producing a pine or a sandalwood aroma may be chosen.Alternatively, fragrant oils emitting any other desired scent of aromamay be selected. Examples of fragrant oils known in the art include oilsemitting vanilla, cinnamon, lavender, and cherry blossom aromas.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 the details of an alternative mountingarrangement for the fireplace candle may be appreciated. As describedabove the fireplace candle 20 comprises a candle container 22. Thecontainer 22 defines an open cavity within which one or more wax candleelements 26 are disposed. The candle element(s) 26 may have one or morewicks. The fireplace candle illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises four candleelements 26. The candle elements 26 collectively have four wicks 28 a,28 b, 28 c, and 28 d. The candle element wicks 28 a-28 d may be ofdifferent heights, so that when the candle's wicks 28 a-28 d are lit,the flames appear at varying heights above a simulated log, providing amore realistic simulation of flames on a burning log. The wicks 28 a-28d are made so that the wicks 28 a-28 d will slowly burn down to the topof the candle elements 26 so that the wax of the elements 26 beginsvaporizing at different times and will therefore be at different levelsonce the wicks 28 a-28 d have burned down to the candle elements 26.Such wicks 28 a-28 d are known in the art.

The fireplace candle 20 further comprises a mounting tab 24 attached tothe candle container 22. The mounting tab 24 of the container 22 is madeof a malleable material. For example, the mounting tab 24 may be made ofmetal foil (such as aluminum or tin) of sufficient thickness to supportthe weight of the candle container 22 and the candle elements 26, andsufficient thinness to be malleable. The malleable mounting tab allowsthe mounting tab 24 to be manipulated around the bark pattern of aceramic log (30 of FIG. 1) or wedged into a crevice in the bark patternto hold the container in position behind the simulated fireplace log asshown in FIG. 1. The container 22 of the fireplace candle 20 may also bemade of the same material as the mounting tabs 24 to allow for one-piececonstruction. The thickness of the container 22 may be greater than thethickness of the mounting tabs 24, if necessary.

FIG. 3 shows the malleable mounting tab 24 in a flattened condition. Themounting tab 24 is sufficiently large to provide support for the weightof the candle container 22 and the candle elements 26 when the tab 24 ismolded to grip the bark pattern of a simulated ceramic log. For example,the mounting tab 24 may be a malleable aluminum foil tab of atrapezoidal shape with a base dimension B of approximately 2½ inches, atop dimension A of about two inches, and a tab height of approximately 1¼ inches. A single mounting tab 24 dimensioned as described issufficient to hold candle elements 26 filling a candle container 22approximately five inches long, by 1½ inches wide, by 1¼ inches deep.The dimensions provided are representative dimensions provided by way ofexample and are not intended to limit the invention to the detaileddimensions.

The fireplace candle 20 may be refillable, or alternatively, may bedisposable. When the container 22 is of the refillable type, thethickness of the container 22 is approximately 0.23 gauge. Fordisposable versions, this thickness can be reduced. When the candleelements 26 have extinguished, new wicks 28 a-28 d are suspended in thecontainer 22, and new wax is poured into the container 22 around thewicks 28 a-28 d, thereby forming new candle elements 26. For disposablecontainers, once the wax has cooled and hardened, the container 22 canbe flexed to allow the remaining wax to be removed from the container22. This allows the metal foil of the container 22 to be recycled forenvironmental purposes.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A fireplace candle, comprising: a candle holder body defining acavity having an open top; at least one candle element disposed withinthe cavity; and at least one mounting tab attached to the candle holderbody, the mounting tab being adapted for attaching the candle holderbody to a simulated fireplace log.
 2. The fireplace candle according toclaim 1, wherein said at least one candle element comprises a wick and awax body infused with a fragrant oil providing a scent when the wick islit.
 3. The fireplace candle according to claim 2, wherein said scent isan aroma of burning wood.
 4. The fireplace candle according to claim 1,wherein said at least one mounting tab is made of a malleable materialso that said tab is bendable to engage bark of the simulated log tosupport said container and said candle element.
 5. The fireplace candleaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one mounting tab consists ofa single mounting tab.
 6. The fireplace candle according to claim 1,wherein said at least one mounting tab comprises two mounting tabs. 7.The fireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least onecandle element comprises at least two candle elements.
 8. The fireplacecandle according to claim 7, wherein each of said candle elementscomprises a wick, each said wick having different lengths.
 9. Thefireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said at least one candleelement comprises three candle elements.
 10. The fireplace candleaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one candle element comprisesfour candle elements.
 11. The fireplace candle according to claim 1,wherein said candle holder body is made of aluminum foil.
 12. Thefireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said mounting tab is madeof aluminum foil.
 13. The fireplace candle according to claim 1, whereinsaid mounting tab and said candle holder are formed as a one-piece unit.14. The fireplace candle according to claim 13, wherein said one-pieceunit is made of aluminum foil.
 15. The fireplace candle according toclaim 1, wherein said at least one candle element comprises a wick and awax body, the wax body having a tinted color.
 16. The fireplace candleaccording to claim 15, wherein said color is brown.
 17. The fireplacecandle according to claim 15, wherein said color is gray.
 18. Thefireplace candle according to claim 1, wherein said candle holder bodyhas a thickness of approximately 0.23 gauge.
 19. A fireplace candle,comprising: a candle holder body defining a cavity having an open top;at least one candle element disposed within the cavity; and means formounting the candle holder body to a simulated fireplace log.
 20. Afireplace candle, comprising: a candle holder body defining a cavityhaving an open top; at least one candle element disposed within thecavity, the candle element having a plurality of wicks of differentheight, the wicks burning at an equal rate to simulate fireplace flamesof different height; and at least one mounting tab extending from thecandle holder body, the mounting tab being adapted for attaching thecandle holder body to a simulated fireplace log.